The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1887-10-11
GORDON'S LEAP.
From the Cincinnati Tclegraln.

From the Cincinnati Telegram
In the southeastern part OF the great hoosier
state. Situated on one Of the high and forest clad
bluffs Of the toruous Loughery creek which winds
its way onward untt it empties its pellucid waters
into the mighty Ohio, Is the sleepy, ancient and
pretty country town Of Yersales whose chief i'm
portance lies in the fact that it is The county seat Of
Ripley county. Its high position on the bluff makes
i an excellent point Of observation for the lover Of
nature who delights in the varied scenery along q
water course dee down among the rugged hills
whose bosom here is half hidden by the overhang-
ing branches OF some grand old tree, ana there
fleets in its CLASSY depths the rays of summers sun
Between the main body Of the town and the edge
Of the bluff is the beautiful cemetery where lie in
silent peace generations upon generations Of the
ancestors Of the present inhabitants of Versailles
Many long years ago a young and fiery youth
studied medicine under one Of the then resident
physicians OF the town, and began its practice tte-e
Anxious to learn oil he could Of the many mysteries
Of the human body. and skeletons not being then 50
easily obtainabc rs they are now, he one night
when all quiet, in company with an assisan or
two stole out to the city Of the dead and undertook
TO rob grave of n tenant which had recently been
placed there. Although his movements were con-
Quoted with the utmost caution he was discovered
and officers were almost upon him before he knew
it. There only one way Of escape, and that was
over the bluff, which at least two hundred feet
high, and whose sides were so steep and slippery
that no foothold could be obtained. Right at the
bottom flowed the LOughery. lie was q young man
ofquick decision, and hsrcs9lution was soon taken
Madly he dashed for the edge of the cliff and
recilessy he jumped off. Down he went through
the branches Of the trees, his fall being broken here
and there, until he reached the ground, compare
tiytly uniuiurcd. lie was as feet on his feet as Il
deer, and, picking himself up, he was soon beyond
reach Of his pursucrs, who rather than risk such
hazardous leap Themselves, went miles out of their
way 10 reach tie bottom Of the steep bluff. The
place where the young man made his desperate
Jump for life has ever since been call ID Gordon's
Leap. 1t is point of interest TO every tourist who
visits Versailles, ana those who stand the point
from which the famous leap was made consider the
foolhardy youths escape from instant death re
maIkabie in the extreme.
The nnme Of the young follower Of Esculapius
who made the remarkable jump was Jonathan W.
Gordan Shortly aflerwaId he abandoned the prac
tice Of medicine and took up the study of law, in
which he soon Q ,ama prominent He served with
gaantry III tie union army and rose TO the rank of
major. For many years prior to his death he re-
sided in indianapolis where he became famous as
Of Indiana greatest criminal lawyers. lie also
became widely known an author His speeches
and writings are remarkable for their brilliancy and
beauty OF language only few months ago worn
by the multitudinous lub1s in which his activity
mud energy of disposition led him to engage, no
died bit the memory Of the gallant, generous
hearted aud impulsiYe Major Gordan will be kept
green for years TO come